2022 Staff Handbook

Camp Mah-Kee-Nac was founded in 1929 by Joe Kruger with a child-centered approach based upon both individual and community development.  For over 90 years, we have endeavored to continue a legacy of personal growth for both our campers and staff. Mah-Kee-Nac is embodied in three words: Community, Action, and Power.

Children come to Camp Mah-Kee-Nac for many reasons. Everyone though comes for friendship, fun, mentorship, and the freedom to be, and become themselves.  We need to feel acceptance, affection, friendship, and a sense of belonging.  

The spirit of Camp Mah-Kee-Nac lies in the commitment to our community. Campers and staff feel supported, challenged and encouraged to participate in an action-packed day of sports, outdoor adventure, waterfront, media and the arts. Campers build confidence by experiencing success. Our boys discover the power of their true selves and the individual role they play as part of the greater community.  The guidance and care of campers centers on these objectives: 

• Ensuring physical health and safety
• Promoting emotional and ethical development
• Teaching and learning new skills
• Encouraging self-reliance and independence
• Facilitating success in relationships
• Appreciating others with diverse interests and backgrounds 

To us, community over everything is what makes Mah-Kee-Nac extraordinary.

Goals and Objectives

The goal of Mah-Kee-Nac is to help kids create what is possible. We do this by introducing our campers to new experiences and activities everyday, always under our close guidance and supervision.

Camp counseling at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac will be one of the most rewarding and gratifying experiences of your life. Counselors have an incredible opportunity to help children develop:

• Respect
• Friendship
• Shared Pride
• Perseverance
• Leadership

Learning to live and work with other people through patience and understanding, listening and encouragement is the most important skill we teach and is inherent in each activity, program and bunk.

Finally our goal is to nurture friendships that last long after our summer ends, connections that last a lifetime.=

Camp Mah-Kee-Nac is part of The CampGroup, LLC.  Camp Danbee is our sister camp.

Our Year-round staff consists of:

• Directors:  Jamie and Rachel Chadwin
• Associate Director: Kevin Lilley
• Assistant Director: Emily Sussman
• Head of Maintenance: Jack Wood
• Assistant Head of Maintenance: Ethan Gooch

Head Counselor

The Head Counselor is the staff member responsible for all camper and staff welfare.  He oversees the Tribal Heads and ensures that each campus is supported and running smoothly.  The Head Counselor is a liaison of the staff to the Directors.

Division Heads

The Division Heads are experienced leaders in charge of each campus of children and counselors:  

Assistant Division Head

The Assistant Division Head working under the direction of the Division Head helps with administration and programming of a campus.  Assistant Division Heads serve as the Division Head when the DH is off duty.

Counselors

All staff members are counselors. First, we hire individuals as counselors of children and, second, we expect them to instruct children in a particular skill.  Regardless of title, each staff member is responsible for the health and welfare of every camper.

Activity Heads

The Activity Head is the individual responsible for a selected program or activity and the staff assigned to that activity.  The activity head trains staff, orders materials, and works with the program office on daily programming and special programs.

Junior Counselors 

Former MKN campers under 18 years of age are hired as Junior Counselors.  Junior Counselors live in cabins with campers and work in activity areas as part of our staff.  

There is a 1 a.m. curfew each evening. This means all staff members must be signed-in and returning to their cabins by 1 a.m.  Even if staff are not On Duty (“O.D.”) and not leaving camp property, staff must sign in signaling to camp that you are accounted for in your cabin.

Signing out and in is an essential procedure. Every staff member must sign out of their responsibilities with their TH when it is time, and sign in with the Head Checker when returning to your cabin. This includes:

• Nights off
• Days off

**The only exception to the sign out rule is if your entire bunk, tribe, or team is out on a camp trip.

If all staff are signed in by 1 a.m. that is our signal that everyone has safely returned to their cabin.  If an individual is not signed in by 1 a.m., we will do what is necessary to make sure he or she is safe and accounted for.  Head Checker will first:

1. Check your bunk
2. Ask friends if they are aware of your location
3. Call and text your cell phone number
4. Begin to worry!
5. Contact local authorities 

We take a most severe view toward excessive use of alcohol and marijuana by staff members.  

• Use or possession of marijuana on camp property is not permitted.   
• Underage drinking is illegal and not accepted and therefore, any underage staff member who has been illegally drinking alcohol is subject to dismissal.
• Under the discretion of the Head Checker and Camp Directors, any staff member who returns to camp and appears to be intoxicated and therefore, possibly unable to perform his/her duties, is subject to dismissal.

The possession or use of illegal drugs on camp property will not be tolerated and will result in immediate dismissal for campers or staff.  Staff members who discuss the use of illegal drugs with others, staff or campers, will also be dismissed.  

• Employees are prohibited from reporting for duty or remaining on duty with an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater.
• Employees are prohibited from using alcohol and/or marijuana while on duty.
• Employees may not refuse to submit to any drug and/or alcohol test required under the Company’s substance abuse policy.
• Employees are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful or unauthorized use, manufacture, distribution, dispensation, sale or possession of drugs and/or alcohol in the workplace including: on Company premises, in Company vehicles, while engaged in Company activities, or while working for the Company at the premises of another company.
• Employees are prohibited from reporting for duty, or remaining on duty when the employee uses, or is under the influence of any drugs, except when the use is pursuant to a doctor’s orders and the doctor has advised the employee that the substance does not adversely affect the employee’s ability to safely perform his or her job duties.
• Employees are prohibited from working if they have tested positive for drugs, marijuana and/or alcohol.

Prohibition on Supervisor or Manager Permitting an Employee to Work

No supervisor or manager who has actual knowledge that an employee has or is engaging in the use of alcohol and/or marijuana or any controlled substances in any manner that violates any provision of this Substance Abuse Policy shall permit the employee to work.

Smoking, vaping, and other inhalants are not permitted on camp property, including the parking lot.

Cell phones are never allowed in camper cabins by either staff or campers.  For staff living in camper cabins, we provide mounted lockboxes in/around your Division Head’s house for staff to store their cell phones.  During the daytime, cell phones may only be used in staff lounge areas during periods off.  In the evening time, after 10:00 pm, cell phones may be used around camp, but not in or near the camper cabins.  The same applies for any and all portable computer devices (laptop, ipad, etc.).  Staff members are never allowed to give their phone to a camper to use.   

If you enjoy listening to music or would like to have music for your bunk, we recommend you bring a screen-free music only listening device such as an MP3 player.  A fitbit watch also allows for the uploading and streaming of music through bluetooth.

*** Some staff are asked to carry a device for camp business only.  Personal calls, texts, or use should not occur during staff camp hours.

In order to encourage the best possible working environment during the summer, CampGroup and Camp Mah-Kee-Nac believe mutual respect between its staff members and its campers is absolutely essential. We reject physical, verbal, and sexual harassment in any form.

In order to encourage the best possible working environment during the summer, CampGroup believes mutual respect among its staff members and between its staff members and its campers is absolutely essential.  We reject sexual harassment in any form.  

Sexual harassment is “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, slurs, jokes and other verbal, written and/or physical conduct of a sexual nature.”  It becomes unlawful when:  

1. Submission to such conduct is explicitly or implicitly a condition of an individual’s employment; or
2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct affects the employee’s job; or
3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s job performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.  

Additionally, as members of CampGroup we urge staff members to be cognizant of possible camper “crushes” on a staff member.  These “crushes” should be tactfully discouraged in a professional manner.  

If sexual harassment is perceived by an employee, resulting in a hostile job environment, please follow this procedure:   

1. Make it clear to the harasser that you do not approve of his or her behavior, comments or incidents and ask that it stop immediately.  Studies have shown that in a majority of cases the harasser was unaware that his or her conduct was offensive. 
2. If the undesirable behavior continues, speak to the directors of your camp or a member of the leadership team that you are comfortable speaking with. Keep a written record of the behavior, including dates, time, details, and witnesses.  
3. The Director(s) will promptly conduct an investigation of the charges exerting their best effort to maintain the complainant’s confidentiality. Depending on the evidence, the Director or leadership team member will discuss the complaint with the staff member(s).  If a pattern of offensive incidents is verified, offenders will be subject to disciplinary actions up to and including immediate termination.  
4. There will be no retaliatory action taken against an employee who in all good faith makes a report of sexual harassment.  

Camp Mah-Kee-Nac and CampGroup will not tolerate any sexual harassment between employees, or camper-staff member fraternizing, both of which could seriously detract from your ability to provide a quality summer experience for your campers.  

This statement is issued in accordance with the guidelines of the 1981 Equal Employment Opportunity commission.  During our staff orientation, we will have a further discussion of this sexual awareness policy.

Staff Responsibility:

I understand and accept that I am a caretaker of children and as a caretaker need to adhere to the following guidelines, which have been discussed and presented during orientation:

• All staff are trained to minimize the potential of a staff member being one-on-one with a camper.
• All staff are trained to understand the rule of being within “line of site” and/or within “ear shot” of another person.
• Under no circumstances may staff members physically discipline a child. No hitting, shoving, grabbing, arm twisting, bruising, wrestling, sitting on, tickling, “pantsing,” “rat-tailing,” wedgies, swirlies, paddling, pink bellies, or other forms of rough-housing with campers is tolerated. 
• Physically restraining a camper may only be done to prevent a child from immediately harming himself/herself or others.  
• Staff may not use abusive or derogatory language with campers.
• There is no “hazing” of campers by campers or staff.
• Campers will not be subjected to “Initiation” rites.
• Expressions of congratulations for good performance by campers (in sports or elsewhere) should be verbal or employ the current forms of “high fives” not slaps on the rear.  
• The hand, the shoulder or the upper back are the most appropriate places for camper contact. 
• Campers up to entering Grade 5 may sit on the counselor’s laps in public when a camper has asked and the counselor consents.
• Piggybacks are age appropriate for children up to entering Grade 5 in public during sanctioned events at camp. 
• Contact should never be against a child’s will (unless in the case of clear and present danger of the child or of other children).
• A staff member will under no circumstances share a bed or sleeping bag with a camper and will never lie down with a camper in bed.
• Staff will not give back rubs or any type of massages to campers. A back rub is defined as the action or process of massaging the back for relief of pain or relaxing muscle stress. 
• Staff members may not form any romantic attachments with campers or CITS/CAPS/LITS.
• Counselors romantic and/or sexual experiences should not be shared with campers.
• Under no circumstances should campers have an opportunity to observe, even inadvertently, sexual intimacy between counselors whether in camp or on a camp trip.
• Photographs and/or videos may not be taken of anyone at camp who is inappropriately clothed.
• No pornographic material is allowed in camp or at any camp sanctioned events/activities.

We know that the Internet, when used wisely, provides many safe ways to stay in touch and communicate with people from camp.  Once you identify yourself as a camp employee on a social networking profile including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, a website, or blog, the general public may see you as an ambassador or spokesperson of camp.  It is therefore a condition of employment that you agree to and adhere to the guidelines outlined below.  

As a Camp Mah-Kee-Nac employee, before I …

1.   use the camp name;
2.   use the official camp logo;
3.   add a link from a group page, profile, photo-sharing site or other website to the official camp website;
4.   include text or photographs that are the property of camp;
5.   include photographs of campers;
6.     include a photograph of anyone wearing Camp Mah-Kee-Nac apparel;
7.   create a camp “group page” with the above items; or
8.   identify myself online as a Camp Mah-Kee-Nac employee in any way…           

I agree to be respectful of the camp, the campers and its employees in all communications in my online profiles, blogs, websites or other forms of digital communications.

1.   I will not use obscenities, profanity or vulgar language.
2.   I will not engage in harassment or intimidation;
3.     I will not post comments that are derogatory with regard to an individual person’s race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or disability;
4.   I will not engage in sexually explicit, suggestive, humiliating or demeaning comments.      
5. I will not send inappropriate or sexually explicit photos to camp employees or campers.                              
6. I agree not to use a social networking profile, group page, blog or other Internet media to discuss or promote behavior that is prohibited by camp policy, including, but not limited to alcohol or drug use 

I agree not to reach out first to a camper on social media. Should a camper follow or friend me on social media, I may choose to follow back. I will follow all the above terms when communicating with campers during the off-season.

The following are not just camp standards, but Massachusetts Camping State Laws

NO’s

• No corporal punishment including spanking
• No camper shall be subjected to cruel or severe punishment, humiliation, or verbal abuse
• No camper shall be denied food, water, or shelter
• No camper shall be punished for soiling, wetting, or not using the toilet

YES’s

• A staff member has every right to ask a child to take a break when necessary  
• All means of further discipline should only be made by a Director

For the physical and emotional safety of both campers and staff, we have a zero tolerance policy on bullying.  As a member of the staff, you have a designated responsibility and a moral duty to intervene if you suspect bullying is occurring.  Any witnessed incident must be reported to a Tribal Head or Director.

Massachusetts law requires mandated reporters to immediately make an oral report to DCF when, in their professional capacity, they have reasonable cause to believe that a child under the age of 18 years is suffering from abuse and/or neglect.  All staff are considered mandated reporters.

This summer, only Director approved, vaccinated staff may leave campus for camp business purposes ONLY.

• All people, including staff, must check out/in at the office if leaving camp during the daytime.
• Visitors register at the office and badges are issued. 
• Counselors are on duty at night and a checker system is in place.
• One director and one key staff member is always in camp.
• Staff are asked to stop all strangers without guest buttons on camp grounds and escort them to be registered at the office.
• The office staff must have all visitors sign in, register, and be issued guest buttons. Guests should be asked to return to the office as they leave camp, sign out and return the button.
• Rules and regulations should apply to any visitors and all directors should follow the procedures as outlined.
• Do not jog or walk alone outside of the camp property.
• It is wise to take days off with others.
• Campers are not permitted to leave their cabins at night or to go off camp property at any time unless as a part of a camp sanctioned trip. Do NOT allow “raids” at night or walks off camp property under any circumstances.

Camp Mah-Kee-Nac is a profanity-free camp.  This extends to both campers and staff. Campers are not permitted to use profane language or curse words and should be corrected.  Do not be passive, do not let this behavior slide.

Communication with campers should not proceed without the knowledge of the minor’s parent/guardian.

All campers are to be treated with the same care. If a staff camper’s parents work at camp there are no exceptions to the following policies:

• Staff parents are not to visit their children’s bunks and should not disturb them during activities.
• Counselors should not give preferential treatment to staff children and none should be sought.
• Problems with staff regarding their children should be brought to the attention of the tribal head and/or director.
• Staff parents should never seek to solve problems directly with the counselor staff.

Male staff members or campers are not permitted in female staff cabins. Female staff members are not permitted in male staff cabins. Exceptions are maintenance persons and staff members working in the line of duty and responsibility (camp moms included).

Pets of any type may not be brought to camp without permission of the Directors.

Camp vehicles are not for personal use.  

• The use of camp vehicles is restricted to those over 21 years of age or who have been approved as drivers by camp.  
• No one may drive campers without permission of the camp.  
• Golf carts are considered camp vehicles

Personal Vehicles

• Staff are urged not to let others borrow their personal vehicles.
• Junior Counselors are not permitted to bring cars to camp or to drive the cars of others under any circumstance.  
• Campers may not be transported by staff in their personal vehicle unless there is a written letter of consent from the parent of the camper.
• Personal vehicles must be parked in staff parking lots and may not be driven through camp without prior permission

Personal weapons are not permitted on camp property.  Personal weapons used for programmatic purposes must be pre-approved by camp and used only for its purpose and must be stored and secured in an approved programmatic area.  All other items considered weapons will be confiscated.

Staff members are expected to wear clean clothing and footwear, appropriate for each activity they conduct.

• T-shirts, logos, and statements must be appropriate and in good taste.
• Counselors are to wear staff shirts on weekends, off-camp trips and designated days.
• Flip-flops/slides may be worn around camp only when visiting the lake, pool, or showers.  At all other times, closed toed shoes should be worn.
• Counselors with body piercings or tattoos are asked to use good judgment and, in very rare cases, may be asked to remove or cover them.
• The Dining Room should be a place of civility and good manners; therefore we request appropriate attire.  Please no flip-flops or bathing suits.

While we hope we never have to use these procedures, we prepare for all possible emergency situations.  Please refer to the ERP (Emergency Response Procedures) as well as our ERP Quick Reference Guide posted in each cabin and around camp in most buildings.

Staff are responsible for knowing their roles and responsibilities in the event of an emergency or crisis.  ERP quick reference guides will be posted in most buildings around camp.

Maintaining camper and staff health and well-being is our top priority. Many campers have medical issues when they arrive at camp and many take medication.  To ensure the wellness of our camp community, please be aware:

• You should have knowledge of the health profiles of your campers and be in contact with the camp nurses throughout the summer.
• Campers will often try to conceal a health problem to avoid missing an activity or simply out of carelessness.  
• Keep an eye out for any symptoms.    
• Our nurses and doctor, who live at camp, have health center hours and are on call around the clock  
• The best rule is common sense.  It is better to err on the side of caution than to let a minor medical problem become a major one.  Counselors should not diagnose camper or staff medical issues.

You also need to set a good example.  The campers will take their cues from you, so you need to practice good health and safety habits, as well.

Every child under your supervision must:

• Brush his teeth every morning and night.
• Change underwear at least once a day.
• Shower properly each day during allotted shower time.
• Wear clean clothes.
• Wash hands before every meal and often throughout the day.  Soap and towel dispensers are installed in all bathrooms, please use them!
• Come to meals on time with clean hands and appropriate clothing and shoes.
• Do his/her share of cabin chores.
• Make bed properly every day and change bed linens every week.
• Keep the cabin in good order at all times.
• Keep cubbies in good order.
• Write a letter to parent(s)/guardian(s) at least three times a week.

The Health Center is staffed by Nurses and a Doctor who play major roles in the prevention and treatment of illnesses and accidents.  Our staff and campers must be examined by their doctor shortly before their arrival at camp. Upon arrival, the nurses will examine each staff member and child.  Counselors are responsible for checking the campers frequently. You should bring the camper to the nurse if you notice:

• Rashes or redness
• Irritations
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Bug bites
• Poison ivy
• Change in appetite
• Change in mood
• Dehydration
• Extreme tiredness
• Or any other health issues  

At night, a counselor must accompany a sick or injured camper.  Health call is after breakfast and after dinner when counselors and campers may visit the Health Center to see the Doctor..  

IMPORTANT:  Only the Health Center and those approved by the Directors/Health Care Consultant may administer medication at camp.  Many people have allergies, and severe reactions can occur to even the simplest of drugs. Counselors and campers may not keep medications in the bunk or bring medication back to the bunk for any reason.

We ask that all of our staff come to camp with their own health insurance coverage.  Domestic staff, we can help you obtain temporary health insurance if you do not have insurance.  If you are international, your insurance will be covered by the insurance agency of your visa provider and includes your 30 day travel waiver after camp.

If you have a pre-existing condition that is aggravated at camp, you will be expected to have your own insurance to cover any costs for treatment. Injuries sustained while not participating in camp activities, such as on evenings or days off, are not covered by workers compensation.  Staff are responsible for the cost of any medications that may be prescribed while at camp.

Recommended:

COVID-19 Booster Shots as per CDC/FDA guidelines

Required:

• COVID-19 – Staff must be fully vaccinated as per CDC guidelines with a CDC/FDA approved vaccine. Boosters are encouraged but not required at this time.
• MMR 2 doses, anyone born in or after 1957. 1 dose, anyone born before 1957 outside the US. Anyone born in the US before 1957 is considered immune. Laboratory evidence of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella is acceptable.
• Varicella (Chicken Pox) 2 doses, anyone born in or after 1980 in the US, and anyone born outside the US. Anyone born before 1980 in the US is considered immune. A reliable history of chickenpox or laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable.
• Tdap 1 dose, and history of DTaP primary series or age appropriate catch-up vaccination. Tdap given at 7 years may be counted, but a dose at age 11-12 is recommended if Tdap was given earlier as a part of catch-up schedule. Td should be given if it has been >10 years since Tdap
• Hepatitis 3 doses (or 2 doses of Heplisay-B) for staff whose responsibility includes first aid; laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable

As often as possible, each staff member shall have at least one period off during the program day.  However, late mornings, trip days, special events, and rainy days may cause adjustments in the schedule.

Employees will be entitled to one (1) off day during Staff Training and five (5) days off during the camper summer. There will be NO days off during the first camper week and the final camper week.   

When the bunk is settled and the O.D. is ready to take over, staff who are off that evening are relieved of their duties and may begin time off.   Staff will sign out with their Tribal Head and sign back in with the Head Checker at the Main Office prior to curfew.  Once staff are signed back in, it is the expectation that they return to their bunk.

All staff members will be “on duty” about twice each week.  O.D. begins when staff are released by the Tribal Head and ends at staff curfew when all co-counselors are signed in.  During O.D. counselors must be in their cabin with their campers.  The Head Checker is a key staff member who is responsible for all O.D.s.  An O.D. schedule will be established during staff training.

While on O.D. you are the staff member responsible for your cabin.  You must make sure the campers:

• brush teeth and wash face before bed
• change into pajamas or sleepwear
• Settle down and get a good night’s sleep
• help anyone who may wake and need assistance
• make sure campers get to the infirmary if they need to go

Mah-Kee-Nac will form a staff recreation committee to schedule events for interested staff.  This may take the form of pick-up games, organized yoga sessions, etc. The office arranges Wal-mart/Mall nights – check at the main office for details and sign-up sheets.  

We suggest you do not bring jewelry or other valuables to camp. All valuables are your responsibility and are covered by your insurance. Money and passports may be turned in at our office and will be kept in our safe in an envelope with your name on it. The safe is available only during designated times during the day.   

Camp salary procedure varies depending on a number of factors.  All questions regarding salary and how compensation takes place should be directed to the Directors.  Our camp accountant is not in a position to approve advances, reimbursement, or other extenuating circumstances.

Staff evaluations are completed during the season.  These evaluations are intended for assessment of job performance and are an opportunity for self-evaluation and feedback between staff.  At the end of the summer a written evaluation will be completed on each counselor to be kept on file at the office.

At the end of the summer, we will ask you to evaluate the Camp Leadership.  Surveys will be distributed at the final staff meeting so you may comment on the program and your overall experience this summer.

Camper evaluations are completed toward the end of each session and are a necessary part of a counselor’s job.  The purpose is to provide parents or guardians with information about the activities their child has participated in at camp and an indication of that child’s experience at Mah-Kee-Nac.

At MKN we are an elective based camp.  That means that aside from a few mandatory activities, campers pick their schedules based on their interests.  We offer 6 formal activity periods a day and 1 less formal activity period called “campus time”.  Staff will typically teach 6 of the 7 activity periods per day.

For curricula and learning purposes, campers take their first four activities for three days in a row.  This gives ample time for staff to plan lessons that allow campers to learn a skill, practice it, and use it in real world situations.  The last two activity periods each day are daily electives.  The select a green block schedule (3 days) and a white block schedule (3 days) per week.

Rain, rain go away!  We don’t stop when the rain comes in.  Though many times we do have to alter our regular camp program to allow for rainy day activities in covered and indoor facilities.  In cases of rain, we may ask that you be flexible with your programming and facility as well as step in to help in areas where we may need you.

As staff members, you will be asked to go on and participate in trips that the campus or tribe are attending.  Your counselor responsibilities remain the same, and are even heightened when we bring our camp out to the real world.  

All activities are equally important.  Again, our goal is to expose children to a variety of experiences and activities and ensure every child finds success.

In addition to our “normal” programming, we have different types of Special Events:

• Green and White
• Olympics
• Founders Cup
• Stockbridge Series
• Evening Activities
• All-Day special events
• *Inter-camp Games/Tournaments – not in 2021
• *Socials – not in 2021

In some cases, staff will not only facilitate but also be asked to participate in these events. In all cases, staff are expected to maintain the safety and well-being of all campers, and be exceptional role models.